Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Transfer Window

July 1st is here! It is all about the summer transfer window being swung open.Long before the season was over,many club sides have been eyeing some prospect to add to their respective club sides,with some notable names taking the headlines for quite some time. Paul Pogba has been taking the lead on the list of players most sort after in Europe, with the likes of Barcelona, Man City,PSG and Chelsea all vying for the signature of the youngster. Some few club sides have kick started their transfer dealings early while others are still watching the market.Liverpool has acquired the services of five players and are ready to make it six in the next few days with the signing of Nathaniel Clyne for around 12.5 million. LVG has gotten the services of Memphis Depay for Man United for 25 million and the deal for Morgan Schneiderlin is in the pipeline while waiting to see what will be the future of their No1 (David De Gea). Chelsea are eyeing Begovic of Stoke City as the replacement for the departed Petr Cech. Arsenal have concluded the signing of Petr Cech while negotiating the sale of David Ospina. Man City have been trying to reach an agreement with Liverpool over the signing of Raheem Sterling, who as refused to extend his stay in the club.
Outside England, the coach of FC Barcelona has made known his desire to add a midfielder to his ranks,as a replacement for the departed Xavi, and all fingers are pointing towards one player,Pogba. Real Madrid on the other hand want to replace under performing Casillas with De Gea and also seek a way of keeping their talismatic defender Segio Ramos. Bayern Munich are about completing the signing of Douglas Costa and also boost their midfield. As the transfer market is about to open officially, we can only but expect movement of players.

Image result for transfer market

Metronidazole: what you should know

Metronidazole, popularly known as Flagyl, is a nitroimidazole antibacterial and antiprotozoal medication used mainly in the treatment of  bacteria (organism which does not require oxygen for growth) and protozoa.
Metronidazole is indicated for the treatment of bacterial septicemia, lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, emphysema and lung abscess), bone and joint infections, skin infections, amebic dysentery, crohn's disease (inflammatory disease of the digestive system), clostridium difficile colitis, ulcerative gingivitis, intra abdominal infections and abscess and Helicobacter Pylori infections (which can cause chronic gastritis and lead to peptic ulcer disease).
Metronidazole can also be used in veterinary medicine to manage chronic inflammatory bowel disease on cats and dogs, treatment of systemic/gastrointestinal clostridial infections in horses and aquarium hobby to treat ornamental fish and as a broad spectrum treatment for bacterial and protozoan infections in reptiles and amphibians.
It is available in form of tablets, caplets, syrup, intravenous, intravaginal and topical.
Metronidazole is cost effective, extremely well absorbed, minimal suppression of normal gut floral, excellent penetration into almost all body tissues and fluids and has relatively mild side effects.
Disadvantage includes unpleasant, metallic taste in the mouth, risk of convulsive seizures and peripheral neuropathy with long term use, active only against anaerobes and cannot be used as a single agent in mixed infections.
Consuming alcohol while taking metronidazole causes a disulfiram-like reaction with effects that can include nausea, vomiting, flushing of the skin, shortness of breath, tachycardia (accelerated heart rate) and even death. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided during systemic metronidazole therapy and for at least 24 hours after completion of treatment.
Pregnant women should avoid taking metronidazole during their first trimester. It may harm a nursing baby because it is excreted into breast milk.
Common side effects are nausea, weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting and headache.
Don't just consume metronidazole, consult your physician before taking it.

Saturday, 27 June 2015

Vitamin D and your health

Vitamin D, also known as sunshine vitamin refers to a group of fat soluble secosteroids. It can be produced in the body with mild sun exposure or consumed in food or supplements. In humans, the most important compounds in this group are vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) which can be ingested from the diet and from supplement.
Although the body has the ability to make vitamin D, there are many reasons deficiency occurs. Darker skin pigments and sunscreen use can significantly decrease the body’s ability to absorb UV rays required to produce vitamin D. The skin has to be directly exposed to sunlight not covering with cloth. It is estimated that sensible sun exposure on bare skin for 5-10mins 2-3times per week allows the body to produce sufficient vitamin D.
Adequate intake is responsible for enhancing intestinal absorption of zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.
Vitamin D is also responsible for the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D deficiency in children can cause rickets (a disease characterized by a severely bow-legged appearance triggered by impaired mineralization and softening of the bones). In adults, deficiency manifest as osteoporosis (most common bone disease among post-menopausal women and older men) or osteomalacia (which results in poor bone density, muscular weakness and often causes small pseudo fractures of the spine and femur).
Vitamin D is suggested to supply a protective effect against multiple diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis etc. Insufficient vitamin D level may have an adverse effects on insulin secretion and glucose intolerance. Vitamin D  is extremely important for regulating cell growth. Hormonally active form of vitamin D, calcitrol, can reduce cancer progression by slowing the growth and development of new blood vessels in cancerous tissue and increasing cancer cell death. Low level of vitamin D appears to be a risk factor for tuberculosis. Deficiency has also been linked to increased risk of viral infections, including influenza and HIV.
Pregnant women who are deficient in vitamin D seems to be at greater risk of developing preeclampsia and needing a cesarean section, also associated with gestational diabetes mellitus and bacterial vaginosis. High level of vitamin D during pregnancy were associated with increase in food allergy of the child during the first 2 years of life. Infants who are exclusively breastfed are also at high risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially if they are dark-skinned or have minimal sun exposure. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their physician before taking a vitamin D supplement.
Excessive consumption of vitamin D, hypervitaminosis D, can lead to the over calcification of bone and hardening of blood vessels, kidney, heart and lungs. Most common symptoms are headache, dry mouth, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting etc.
Food sources of vitamin D are cod liver oil, egg, chicken, tuna, sardines and salmon.
Recommended intake:
0-50 years- 5mcg/200iu per day
51-70 years- 10mcg/400iu per day
71 and above-15mcg/600iu per day (1mcg=40iu)
Exclusively breastfed infants- 400iu per day of an oral vitamin D supplement.
Upper level limit for infants (birth-12months)- 25mcg/day (1000iu)
Upper level limit for adult- 4000iu/day
First focus on obtaining your daily vitamin D requirement from sunlight and foods, then use supplements as a backup.
It is the overall eating pattern that is most important in disease prevention and achieving good health. It is better to eat a diet with variety than to concentrate on one individual nutrient as the key to good health.

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

The cholesterol issue

Cholesterol, a soft fat-like substance, aids vital bodily functions such as building new cells and producing new hormones. Everyone’s body needs cholesterol but too much can spell trouble for some people. The body get cholesterol in 2 ways: 80% of it is produced by the liver and the rest comes from the diet. Cholesterol is found in foods derived from animal products like meat, cheese, poultry or fish. Food that don’t contain animal products may contain another harmful substance called TRANS FATS, which cause the body to produce most cholesterol. Food high in sugar are also associated with developing higher cholesterol levels in the blood. Cholesterol is carried through the blood stream by attaching to certain proteins. The combination is called the LIPOPROTEIN. There are different types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol in the blood. They are:
1. High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol.
2. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol.
3. Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) or “very bad” cholesterol.
4. Chylomicrons, which carry very little cholesterol but lots of another fat called triglycerides.
Everyone age 20 and above should have his or her own cholesterol measured at least once every year. A blood test called a lipoprotein panel can help show whether one is a risk for coronary heart disease by looking at the substances in the blood that carry cholesterol. The test gives information about the total cholesterol in the blood, the good and bad cholesterol and the triglycerides. This test is done after a 9-12 hours fast.
Desirable total cholesterol is <200mg/Dl
HDL cholesterol level is >60mg/Dl ( the higher, the better)
LDL cholesterol level is <100mg/dL
Major risk factors that affect LDL are smoking cigarette, age, high blood pressure, family history, low HDL, diet and weight.
A variety of things that can help lower LDL cholesterol level and raise HDL includes:
1. Weight management- being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease. Losing weight can help lower LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol and as well as raise HDL.
2. Physical activity- regular activity can help lower LDL and raise HDL by helping to lose weight.
3. Heredity- genes partly affect how much cholesterol the body makes.
4. Age and gender- as men and women get older, their cholesterol level rise. Before the age of menopause, women have lower total cholesterol level than men of the same age. After the age of menopause, women’s LDL levels tend to rise.
5. Drug treatment- you will need to continue treatment with lifestyle changes, even if you begin drug treatment as this will keep your dose lower. Several types of cholesterol lowering drugs available are; statins(e.g. atorvastatin, rosuvastatin etc – block the liver from making cholesterol), bile acid sequestrants(e.g. cholestyramine – decrease the amount of fat absorbed from food), cholesterol absorption inhibitors( e.g. phytosterols – decrease the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food and lower triglycerides) and vitamins and supplements(niacin, vitamin B3 blocks the liver from removing HDL and omega 3 fatty acids increasesd the level of HDL.
6. Diet- reduce the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet. Food that lower cholesterol level naturally are:
a) Oats, to lower cholesterol, the key may be simply changing your morning meal to oats which can lower LDL by 5.3% in only 6 weeks. Beta-glucan, the key to this cholesterol buster is a substance in oats that absorbs LDL, which the body then excretes.
b) Nuts like almond, cashew and walnuts are good for healthy heart, they are high in calories, so practice portion control.
c)  Chocolate, the sweet side of a heart healthy diet. This powerful antioxidant helps to build HDL cholesterol level. Remember to choose the dark chocolate.
d) Garlic has been found to lower bad cholesterol, Prevent blood clot, reduce blood pressure and protect against infections. It also helps stop artery clogging plaque at its earliest stage by keeping cholesterol particles from sticking to artery Wall.
e) Black Tea is a great defense against LDL cholesterol level asiee been known for cancer-fighting antioxidant. It also help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
f) Beans, the key to this heart-healthy food is its abundance of fiber which has been shown to slow the rate of absorption of cholesterol in certain foods.
g) Margarine, switching to margarine with plant sterols could help lower cholesterol. Plant sterols are compounds that reduce cholesterol absorption.
h) Avocado are great source of heart healthy monounsaturated fat, a type of fat that may actually help raise HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL. Use in moderation since they are high in calories.
i) Olive oil also contain same as avocado and they have the welcome side effect of trimming belly fat.
If you are already eating plenty of the cholesterol lowering foods, keep up the good work!!! Watch your cholesterol level.

Saturday, 6 June 2015

Take healthy chocolate

Chocolate is a sweet, usually brown, food preparation of theobroma cacao seeds. The seeds of the cacao tree have an intense bitter taste and must be fermented to develop the flavour. After fermentation, cocoa mass is being liquefied and the liquor is processed into cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Most of the chocolate consumed today contain cocoa solids, cocoa butter,some other fats and sugar except for white chocolate which contain no cocoa solids.
Cocoa solids are one of the richest sources of flavonol antioxidants and also contain theobromine, phenethylamine and caffeine
Dark chocolate contain cocoa solids and are highly beneficial to man. The benefits include:
1. Nutrition- dark chocolate is very nutritious. A 100g of dark chocolate with 70-85% cocoa contain 11g of fiber, 67% of the RDA for iron, 58% for magnesium, 98% for manganese, 89% for copper, plenty potassium, zinc and selenium.
2. Brain function- flavonols in chocolate increase blood flow to the brain, hence, boost cognitive abilities.
3. Reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases- the flavonols in dark chocolate can stimulate the endothelium, the lining of the arteries to produce nitric oxide (NO), a gas which one of its function is to send signals to the arteries to relax, which lowers resistance to blood flow and therefore reduces blood pressure.
4. Lower cholesterol level in adults- Polyphenols in chocolate help to raise high density lipoprotein (HDL) and protect low density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidation. Lowers susceptibility of LDL to oxidative damage while increasing HDL.
5. Protect skin- the flavonols can also protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin hydration.
6. Reduces risk of diabetes- flavonoids in chocolate have antioxidants and anti clotting effects that can reduce the risk of diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.
7. Positively affects the circulatory system.
8. Chocolate contain flavonoids which can be used to create natural supplements to ease diarrhoea symptoms.
Dark chocolate is healthy but also has some disadvantages. They includes:
1. It cause heartburn because of the theobromine in it, by relaxing the oesophageal sphincter muscle, hence, permitting stomach acidic contents to enter into the oesophagus.
2. Research on elderly people showed it might cause osteoporosis.
3. Chocolate contain moderate to high amounts of oxalate which can cause health problem especially for individuals at risk of kidney stone.
4. Unconstrained consumption of large quantities increases the risk of obesity.
5. Largely to blame for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children because of high doses of caffeine and sugar.
6. It is toxic to animals, especilly dogs and cats, because they are unable to metabolise theobromine in chocolate. Theobromine can also kill human as well if care is not taking.
There is considerable evidence that chocolate can provide powerful health benefits especially protective against cardiovascular diseases but that doesn’t mean you should go out and consume lots of chocolate everyday. It is loaded with calories and easy to overeat on. Maybe have a square per day and really try to savour them.
Be aware that a lot of chocolate on the market is crap. You need to choose quality chocolate, dark chocolate with >70% cocoa content. The darker the chocolate, the less the sugar content.
Take healthy chocolate.

Who wins the treble?

Juventus and Barcelona will be lurking horns in this year's UEFA champion league finals in Berlin. No one would have given Juventus a chance to get to this stage in the UCL at the beginning of the season. Today, FC Barcelona would be filing out their 4th finals in the last 10 years, of which they have never lost any of those finals. Juventus would be the underdogs in this finals, but they also have the experiences of some key players to count on who have seen it all at this stage of the competition. Juventus lost their last UCL finals against their league rivals AC Milan.
Battles would be won and lost in some key areas. The defence of Juventus without the services of Giorgio Chiellini would be seriously tested by the best attack in Europe this season (MSN). However, Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique must also be on top of their games in order to keep predatory duo of Alvaro Morata and Carlos Tevez quiet all through the game. The most interesting position to consider for these battles, is the midfield where the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta would be seeking to dominate the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Aturu Vidal and the young sensational, Paul Pogba .
This final is going to be keenly contested and frenetic. One thing is guaranteed, one of the two teams would end up with a treble.

Wednesday, 20 May 2015

Lady in distress

A certain Anonymous sent us this mail. She needs our advice.
I am currently a student of University of Lagos. I have been studying History for the past three years and I have been really indifferent about this course because it wasn't what I initially wanted to study. I have been going through school like someone without ambitions. Reality is dawning on me, I don't know what the future holds for me with this course am studying. With the present situation facing Nigeria youths in the area of unemployment, where can I get a job placement? My friends introduced me to modelling in my second year, and ever since then, have never looked back, neither because of my height nor because of beauty has caused me to stand-out amongst my colleagues, but the passion and life that I put into it, as if my life depends on it, because it means for once in my confused life, am doing something worthwhile with my life and time. My challenge now is, I have not been able to combine my modelling life with school, which is snuffing the life out of my CGPA, my results ever since then, lacks pride. What should I do? Modelling is the only thing that has brought me joy from years of wallowing in regrets and anguish over my field of study. Leaving it now would be like am activating the destruction button of my life. On the other hand I would like to graduate with something worthy of my early effort in this course, if not for myself, but for my parents who are expecting so much from me back at home, siblings inclusive.
You can also share your life experiences, stories, issues, information with us by sending them to aremutemidayo90@gmail.com.

Saturday, 16 May 2015

Truth about Milk

Certainly, milk is great for babies, ord would not have created women with the ability to breast-feed their children.
However, there is another side of the story. Most children with chronic sinus infections, ear infections and many other conditions have dairy sensitivities. Many times the problem clear up when the dairy products are substituted with soy or rice milk.
Do you realize that man is the only species in the animal kingdom to drink milk as an adult? Because many people have some degree of allergy or sensitivity to milk, problems often set in when one consume cheese and milk drink.
Many people believe they need milk to supply their calcium needs but then milk is pasteurized (through heating). When Milk is pasteurized, the calcium becomes an inorganic form, which is less easily assimilated by the body. That's why it is recommended that you get your calcium from other sources. Soy, seeds or nuts are high in calcium.
Dairy sensitivities and allergies have been linked to skin rashes, eczema, ear infections, nasal allergies, fatigue, increased risk of prostate and ovarian cancer, acne and spastic colon. If you have any of these, stop dairy products. Do it for 7 days and watch the improvement.
You can then decide to limit or avoid dairy products in order to relieve your medical condition.
Note that, most of the world's population cannot adequately digest milk due to lactose intolerance and is the most self-reported food allergen in the world.
Watch your milk intake!!!

Alcohol use in pregnancy

It is well established that consuming alcohol during pregnancy can cause harm to the foetus. A new study finds that drinking alcohol as early as 3-4 weeks into pregnancy, before many women even realise they are expecting may alter gene functioning in the brains of offspring, leading to long term changes in brain structure.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been linked to increased risk of a number of health condition for offspring including growth restriction, poor coordination, speech and language delays, poor memory, poor muscle tone, intellectual and learning disabilities.
However, it is unclear exactly how alcohol exposure during pregnancy impacts fetal development to result in these conditions but past animal studies have suggested that alcohol consumption may influence gene expression in the embryo during early pregnancy by making changes to the epigenome, which regulate the gene function.
The problem with drinking alcohol during pregnancy is that there is no amount that has been proven to be safe. It is difficult to predict the impact of drinking on any pregnancy because some women have higher levels of the enzymes that break down alcohol.
It's such a small amount of a time and the sacrifice is not so great for you and your child.
Stay away from alcohol during pregnancy. It's not the best for your child.

Friday, 15 May 2015

What you should know about paracetamol

Paracetamol is a medical drug also known as acetaminophen. It is first used by Joseph Von Mering, a German physician. It is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). The exact mechanism of action is unknown.
Paracetamol usually comes in the form of tablets, caplets, capsules, suppository, soluble powders and liquids (suspension and syrup) to be taken every 4-8hours until symptoms subside.
Paracetamol is considered safe for all ages although people with liver problem should talk to their physician before taking any. Originally, paracetamol required a prescription for it purchase in the pharmacy but today, prescription are rarely needed as it is now an over-the-counter (OTC) drug.
Maximum amount of paracetamol for adult is 1g (1000mg) per dose and 4g (4000mg) per day. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication because alcohol may increase your risk of liver damage while taking paracetamol. Don't use more than 2g per day if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day if at all you want to use paracetamol.
Consult your physician before taking any OTC cold, cough, allergy and pain medication because paracetamol is contained in many combination medicines. Use paracetamol as prescribed by your physician.
Most common side effects are drowsiness, fatigue, rashes and itching. Long term effect includes tiredness, breathlessness, anaemia, liver and kidney damage.
Stop using paracetamol and call your physician if you still have a fever after 3days of use. If you still have pain after 7days or 5days for a child. If your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms.
Paracetamol is not an everyday drug. Be warned.

Thursday, 14 May 2015

Mango nutritional benefits

Mango is a member of the drupe family. There are many different kinds of mango that range in colour (green to red, yellow or orange), shape, flavor and seed size. They have a sweet and creamy taste and contain over 20 vitamins and minerals.
Some of the possible health benefits of consuming mango includes:
1. Aid digestion- mango help to prevent constipation and promote a healthy digestive system because of their fiber (1.6g) and water content.
2. Fight cancer- mango contain antioxidants like Gallic acid, quercetin etc. which protect the body against leukemia, breast, prostate and colon cancer.
3. Eye care- it helps in promoting good eye sight and prevent night blindness because it is rich in vitamin A (54microgms).
4. High iron (0.16mg) for women- natural solution for people suffering from anaemia. Increase iron level and calcium at the same time in menopausal and pregnant women.
5. Aids concentration and memory- mango is rich in glutamine acid which is an important protein for concentration and memory.
6. Improve sex- mango is also known as love fruit. It increase the virility in men. It contain vitamin E (0.9mg) which helps to regulate sex hormones and boost sex drive.
7. Strengthen immune system- combination of vitamin A and E and other kinds of carotenoids keep the immune system healthy.
8. Regulate diabetes- mango has a low glycaemic index (41-60). Drinking boiled mango leaves helps in regulating your insulin level.
9. Prevent heart diseases- mango has high level of vitamin C (36.4mg), pectin and fibres that help to lower serum cholesterol levels. Also rich source of potassium (14mg) which is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps to control heart rate and blood pressure.
10. Skin cleanser- it helps unclog pores that cause acne and add freshness to the face. Just slice mango into thin pieces and keep on your face for only 15mins, then wash your face and see the result.
11. Reduces kidney stone- mango is capable of reducing the kidney stone formation.
12. Maintain healthy hair and skin- vitamin C present in mango is needed to build and maintain collagen which provides structure to skin and hair.
13. Weight loss- fibrous fruits like mango boost the digestive function of the body by burning additional calories, helping in weight loss.
14. Alkanizes the body- mango is also rich in malic acid, tartaric acid and traces of citric acid that primarily help in maintaining the alkaline reserve of the body.
Eat as many mangoes as you can now and at the same time balance your diet. Its mango season. Grab the opportunity while it last.

Wednesday, 6 May 2015

Deal with that stress

Stress is anything that poses a challenge or a threat to our well-being. Stressor is an agent or stimulus that causes stress. Stress is the feeling we have when under pressure, while stressors are the things we respond to in our environment. Examples of stressors are noises, unpleasant people etc .
Some stresses get you going and they are good for you, without any
stress at all our lives would be boring and would probably feel pointless. However, when the stresses undermine both our mental and physical health they are bad.
We all react differently to stressful situations. What one person finds stressful another may not at all. Almost anything can cause stress and it has different triggers. It is possible that a person feels stressed and no clear cause is identified. Common causes of stress are Bereavement, Family problems, Financial matters, Illness, Job issues(retirement, losing your job), Lack of time, Relationships (including divorce), Abortion, Conflicts in the workplace, Driving in bad traffic, Fear of crime, Miscarriage, Overcrowding, Pregnancy, Too much noise, Uncertainty (awaiting laboratory test results, academic exam results, job interview results etc), feeling of frustration, anxiety and depression.
When we are stressed Blood pressure rises, Breathing becomes more rapid, Digestive system slows down, Heart rate (pulse) rises, Immune system goes down, Muscles become tense, We do not sleep (heightened state of alertness).
Some of the effects of stress on your body includes:
A tendency to sweat, Back and Chest pain, Childhood obesity, Cramps or muscle spasms, Erectile dysfunction, Headache, Heart disease, Hypertension, Loss of libido, Lower immunity against diseases, Muscular aches, Nail biting, Nervous twitches, Sleeping difficulties and Stomach upset.
Effect on your thoughts and feelings are Anger, Anxiety, Burnout,
Depression, Feeling of insecurity, Forgetfulness, Irritability, Problem concentrating, Restlessness, Sadness and Fatigue.
Effect on your behavior includes:  Eating too much, Eating too little,
Food cravings, Sudden angry outbursts, Drug and Alcohol abuse,
Higher tobacco consumption, Social withdrawal, Frequent crying and
Relationship problems.
Ways one can treat stress include self-help, self management, and medication.
Self help for treating stress includes:
1. Exercise -Exercise is an extremely effective stress buster.
2. Division of labor - try to delegate your responsibilities at work, If you make yourself indispensable the likelihood of your feeling highly stressed is significantly greater.
3. Assertiveness - don't say yes to everything. if something is not your responsibility, try to seek ways of not agreeing to do them.
4. Alcohol and drugs -cut down your alcohol and drugs intake. They will not help you manage stress.
5. Caffeine - Cut down your coffee and caffeine consumption.
6. Nutrition - eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Make sure you have a healthy and balanced diet.
7. Time - make sure you set aside some time each day just for yourself. Use that time to organize your life, relax, and pursue your own interests.
8. Breathing - there are some effective breathing techniques which will slow down your system and help you relax.
9. Talk - Express your thoughts and worries to families, friends and loved ones.
10. Seek professional help - if the stress is affecting the way you function; go and see your doctor.
11. Relaxation techniques - meditation or massage have been known to greatly help people with stress.
Self management can help you to either remove or change the source of stress, alter the way you view a stressful event, lower the impact that stress might have on your body, and teach you alternative ways of coping. Stress management techniques can be gained if you read self-help books, or attend a stress management course. You can also seek the help of a counselor or psychotherapist for personal development or therapy sessions. Many therapies which help you relax, such as aromatherapy, or reflexology, may have a beneficial effect.
Medication will not help you deal and cope with stress but rather mask the stress. Doctors will not prescribe medications for coping with stress, unless the patient has an underlying illness, such as depression or some type of anxiety. If that is the case, the doctor is
actually treating a mental illness and in such cases, an antidepressant may be prescribed.
Bear in mind that your body doesn’t care if it's a big stress or a
little one. Stress can make people do stupid things. We can
control how we respond to stress. The best strategy is to handle stress in the moment. Always laugh as this help to lower stress hormone.
Deal with that stress. Its not the best for you.

Another seven-up?

The two former team-mates will go up against each other in the dug-out today with the Barcelona boss, Luis Enrique quick to praise his friend's impact, Pep Guardiola at the Allianz Arena.
The two teams face one another in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, as Pep Guardiola faces his old club for the first time since his departure in the summer of 2012. The 44-year-old took charge of the Bavarians in the summer of 2012-13 after Jupp Heynckes had guided them to a historic treble and has since led Bayern to two Bundesliga titles and one DFB Pokal.
The Allianz Arena side missed out on Champions League glory last term after being thrashed 7-0 over two legs by eventual winners Real Madrid, but Luis Enrique feels Guardiola has done a fine job at the German giants. He believe that Bayern, since Guardiola became the coach, have a slightly different playing style.
He has maintained the positive aspects and added his own touch. They are one of the best teams in Europe without a doubt. We don’t think about beating Pep, we want to beat Bayern - a historic club in Europe. Unfortunately only one of us will reach the final, Enrique said.
It will be nice for the players to see Pep again. But they feel the match is more important than to see their former coach. There’s always time at the end of the game to say hello.
Barcelona remain in the hunt for the treble having already secured their place in the final of the Copa del Rey, as well as sitting top of La Liga ahead of their last four European tie and Luis Enrique admitted he is excited by the prospect of winning three trophies.
There are no favourites for this match, It's a semi-final. Barcelona will be playing at home with their crowd which  makes them stronger. The crowd has to be great, supporting the team especially when the opponent is hurting them.
This is one of the most attractive matches in Europe. Watch out!!!

Tuesday, 5 May 2015

Get Enough Fiber

One of the main problems with most diet plans is that most individuals on diet do not eat enough fiber.
  Fibre is made up of the indigestible parts or compounds of plants, which pass relatively unchanged through our stomach and intestines. Fibre is mainly a carbohydrate. The main role of fibre is to keep the digestive system healthy.
  There are two types of fiber. Water-soluble fiber. This type of fiber dissolve in water. They includes beans, bananas, carrots, apple, oats, flaxseeds and citrus fruits. There is also insoluble fiber, which does not dissolve in water. It passes through the gut without being broken down and helps other foods move through the digestive system more easily. Insoluble fibre. They includes wheat bran, rooted vegetables and the skins of fruits.
  Fiber intake is crucial. Fiber and water are necessary to move waste through the colon smoothly and easily to reduce the risk of colorectal diseases like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, heart disease, hemorrhoids, colon polyps, and even colon cancer.
  Fibre is an important part of a healthy diet. It helps to remove cholesterol from the colon by binding bile acids. For people with diabetes, eating a diet high in fibre slows glucose absorption from the small intestine into the blood. This reduces the possibility of a surge of insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas to stabilise blood glucose levels. It prevents colorectal diseases by speeding transit time in the colon, thus, decreasing the time cancer causing chemicals are in contact with the colon wall, probably decreasing the risk of cancer.
  A high- fibre diet is protective against weight gain. High- fibre foods tend to have a lower energy density, which means they provide fewer kilojoules per gram of food . As a result, a person on a high-fibre diet can consume the same amount of food, but with fewer kilojoules (calories ).
  Fibre is more important for older people. The digestive system slows down with age, so a high-fibre diet becomes even more important.
  Eating a diet low in fibre can contribute to many disorders, including:
Constipation – small, hard and dry faecal matter that is difficult to pass
Hemorrhoids – varicose veins of the anus
Diverticulitis – small hernias of the digestive tract caused by long-term constipation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – pain, flatulence and bloating of the abdomen
Overweight and Obesity – carrying too much body fat
Coronary Heart Disease – a narrowing of the arteries due to fatty deposits
Diabetes – a condition characterised by too much glucose in the blood
Colon cancer – cancer of the large intestine
  Simple suggestions for increasing your daily fibre intake include:
1. Eat breakfast cereals that contain barley, wheat or oats.
2. Switch to wholemeal or multi grain breads and brown rice.
3. Add an extra vegetable to every evening meal preferably fiber-rich types like greens.
4. Snack on fruit, dried fruit, nuts or wholemeal crackers.
5. Read nutrition labels and choose foods with the highest dietary fiber number.
6. Eat beans and peas frequently because they are filling, fiber-rich and cheap. If canned, wash away excess sodium by rinsing them.
7. Don't peel edible skins from fruits and vegetables. To avoid pesticide residues, wash skin thoroughly before eating.
8. Eat fruits and vegetables rather than drink. When either are processed to make juice, most of the beneficial fiber is left out.
  If you need to increase your fibre intake, it's important that you do so gradually. A sudden increase may make you produce flatulence, leave you feeling bloated and cause stomach cramps.
  It is better to add fibre to the diet from food sources rather than from fibre supplements, as these can aggravate constipation, especially if
you do not increase the amount of water you drink daily.
  Remember, Dietary fibre is found in the indigestible parts of cereals, fruits and vegetables. A diet high in fibre keeps the digestive system healthy. Fiber is activated by water. Whenever you increase your fiber intake, the need for fluids increases.
  Don't forget to drink water thirty minutes before meals or one-half hours after meals.

Monday, 4 May 2015

Serie A Champion vs Defending Champion

The UEFA Champions league draw has been made, on Tuesday 5th of May, Juventus would be welcoming Real Madrid  to the Stadio Olimpico. Madrid who are the defending champion of this competition are seeking to set a record as the first team to win the competition back to back, a feat no club can lay claim to. Juventus on the other hand has been finding it difficult to make a mark in the Champions league after being relegated to the Serie B, the then coach, Antonio Conte has been dominating their domestic league, but has not been able to replicate such form in Europe. Juventus has claimed the 2014/2015 Scudetto, but have chosen to postpone their celebration because of this mouth watering tie. The last time they found themselves at this stage was in the 2002/2003 season. The two teams will be seeking inspiration from their talisman players.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been able to put an end to his goal drought at their last La Liga outing against Sevilla, where he scored all the three goals to keep them closer to their bitter rival (Barcelona). Carlos Tevez has played a leading role for the Old Ladies this season, scoring lot of goals to bring them this far. The two teams would be without the services of some key players like Luca Modric, Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba.
Possible lineup: Juventus: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Evra, Morata, Tevez.(3-5-2).
Real Madrid: Casillas, Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Isco, Kroos, James, Bale, Chicharito, Ronaldo.(4-3-3).